The natural phenomenon of rubbing eyes begins when your eyes
need an instant-cleanup. Rubbing your eyes is considered a stimulant to tear
production. The flow of tears then lubricates dry eyes and helps flushing out
dust-particles and other irritants. This is why medical experts warn wearers of
contact lenses to observe caution whilst rubbing eyes. Due to the excessive
tear production rubbing may flush out contact lenses with flushing the
irritating particles.

Also; the surface of our hands also has innumerable
bacteria. Whilst rubbing eyes; these bacteria can get into eyes making the
condition even worse for contact lens wearers. Normal rubbing is fine and
should not be worried about; says Professor Charles McMonnies, from the School
of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of NSW. Serious rubbing on
eyes cause pressure which may be harmful for the already weakened retina and
the dome-shaped window on which we rely for clear vision.

What to do
when something gets into Eyes Whilst Wearing Contact Lenses?

Courtesy:
francesa 1987blog

If you feel a strong urge of rubbing your eyes when you are
wearing contact lenses be warned. Instead of rubbing your eyes hard for a
prolonged period of time with the heel of your hands; try fixing the situation
just by using the third finger pad softly. Open your eyes wide and blink
slowly. This will help flushing out the irritants from the eyes.

If upon blinking eyes do not get cleaned; then removing
contact lenses is the best option. Always carry contact lens kit to tackle with
such emergencies.

Precautions:

People with allergies should rather avoid wearing contact
lenses. If you have eye allergies you might have special interest in rubbing
the eyes. Sometimes the pollen from your lashes gets into your eyes upon
rubbing. This may aggravate already red sore and itchy eyes making you rub your
eyes even more; Says McMonnies. The pollen and the bacteria found in your hands
will combine together to make the situation out of control.

Do not start rubbing your eyes soon after removing contact
lenses. This is dangerous; because this put your eyes under strain that are
already lacking oxygen due to contact lenses.

To help relax your sore eyes after rubbing it is advised to
prepare saline solution. Make a cup of your hand and fill it with saline
solution. Put the brim of your palm’s cup at the bone of eye socket under the
lower lash. Blink your eyes few times very very slowly. Doing this will relieve
your eyes’ stress &strain they had just been through because of rubbing
eyes with contact lenses.

Lubricate your eyes by squirting some drops of your regular
eye drops. Placing cucumber slices on eyes also cool down the stressed eyes and
relieves the pressure in nerves.